Is this blog only for those feeling depressed, hopeless, a sense of despair and meaninglessness? What about those who consider themselves happy and content?
Hi Friends,
Let us continue this dialogue by addressing the question I have posed above.
Those familiar with my blog are now aware, and I repeat for the benefit of those readers who have joined later, that at its very core, human existence is painful - often witnessed as despair, depression, anxiety, meaninglessness or emptiness. Majority of humankind is almost successful in diverting from even a hint of what lies within by getting busy, running after things, entertaining themselves, getting into relationships etc. Some feel it more, but are in denial and the focus is shifted to "others" and to "circumstances". The more internally sensitive and perceptible kind are not able to do either of that, and they suffer consciously, struggle to get out of this fundamental unease and get trapped in a painful existence. My premise is that such persons are actually witnessing spiritual growth. Instead of pulling themselves down to become similar to other 'normal' people, the way is to allow more growth and evolve into a fundamentally happy person. This is not a fairy tale story. It is based on the experience of many persons who have been on the journey. It has been my experience too.
Now, indeed, there are many who would say that human existence is basically made of happiness and satisfaction. Persons could be very happy with their jobs, family life, relationships, possessions, wealth and so on. They may question: what is in it for me? Why should I discover this so-called pain inside and seek an unknown state like FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS?
First and foremost, I have no quarrels with 'happy' persons in this world. As I stated in my last post (Series 4), even very happy and content persons may have to face situations in life where they are face to face with boredom, loneliness, disappointments, sadness and the kind, all for valid reasons. These are all attributed to external factors - the circumstances or other people in your lives. It does work, and you move on in life. In one of my earlier posts I have also mentioned about the human dilemma while facing such situations in life.
I understand the dilemma that many of you face in a similar predicament. That dilemma arises from the interaction between two kinds of dissatisfaction – that from within and from without. One is existential dissatisfaction, the other is circumstantial dissatisfaction. Because they mix up, we are not able to recognize the more basic form of dissatisfaction.
As long as the existential dissatisfaction remains under check, and you can move on ascribing all discomfort to circumstances, it's fine. You can continue with your happy lives.
The only point I want to highlight here is that those who have embarked on an inward journey impart more spirit to their lives. Spirit not only helps you to keep moving onward towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS, it brings about great changes in your life. Life becomes richer and deeper. Everything that you do or say is seen as more profound by others. You are seen as more sincere. You exhibit more trust. Creativity increases. There is more clarity in your thoughts. As you progress, you may feel that spring in life. And this is not due to any external props. You can still enjoy all material things you normally enjoy, but now with a little more spirit in life, you might come to realize their true value to you. May be, you were earlier attaching an undue importance to all these things. Enjoy them without clinging to them.
After getting into this journey, I have worked on a philosophy: treat all good things that come across in life as 'bonus'. Enjoy them but do not crave for them. Naturally what does not come does not bother you!
I have stated earlier, and I repeat: The crux is to get onto this inward journey in life. You move closer to FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. You might even get to feel flashes of FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. But it is more important to be stay on the journey. No one can proclaim that he has reached FH, and his journey stands terminated. The moment you take that stand you have actually lost it. This beautiful journey is towards infinity!
For those who are suffering, there is both motivation and an opportunity to embark on this journey. It is easiest for them.
'Happy' persons will have to take a call. Since they do not feel the basic human unease, a good starting point for this inward journey could be to just focus on any emotional pain they encounter, even if caused externally. Any internal pain can be a good starting point. I hope to detail some steps in subsequent posts - similar to meditation. Persons who already find themselves happy can have a good starting point.
Cheers!
Deepak Chatterjee
chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com
Views are personal
Hi Friends,
Let us continue this dialogue by addressing the question I have posed above.
Those familiar with my blog are now aware, and I repeat for the benefit of those readers who have joined later, that at its very core, human existence is painful - often witnessed as despair, depression, anxiety, meaninglessness or emptiness. Majority of humankind is almost successful in diverting from even a hint of what lies within by getting busy, running after things, entertaining themselves, getting into relationships etc. Some feel it more, but are in denial and the focus is shifted to "others" and to "circumstances". The more internally sensitive and perceptible kind are not able to do either of that, and they suffer consciously, struggle to get out of this fundamental unease and get trapped in a painful existence. My premise is that such persons are actually witnessing spiritual growth. Instead of pulling themselves down to become similar to other 'normal' people, the way is to allow more growth and evolve into a fundamentally happy person. This is not a fairy tale story. It is based on the experience of many persons who have been on the journey. It has been my experience too.
Now, indeed, there are many who would say that human existence is basically made of happiness and satisfaction. Persons could be very happy with their jobs, family life, relationships, possessions, wealth and so on. They may question: what is in it for me? Why should I discover this so-called pain inside and seek an unknown state like FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS?
First and foremost, I have no quarrels with 'happy' persons in this world. As I stated in my last post (Series 4), even very happy and content persons may have to face situations in life where they are face to face with boredom, loneliness, disappointments, sadness and the kind, all for valid reasons. These are all attributed to external factors - the circumstances or other people in your lives. It does work, and you move on in life. In one of my earlier posts I have also mentioned about the human dilemma while facing such situations in life.
I understand the dilemma that many of you face in a similar predicament. That dilemma arises from the interaction between two kinds of dissatisfaction – that from within and from without. One is existential dissatisfaction, the other is circumstantial dissatisfaction. Because they mix up, we are not able to recognize the more basic form of dissatisfaction.
As long as the existential dissatisfaction remains under check, and you can move on ascribing all discomfort to circumstances, it's fine. You can continue with your happy lives.
The only point I want to highlight here is that those who have embarked on an inward journey impart more spirit to their lives. Spirit not only helps you to keep moving onward towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS, it brings about great changes in your life. Life becomes richer and deeper. Everything that you do or say is seen as more profound by others. You are seen as more sincere. You exhibit more trust. Creativity increases. There is more clarity in your thoughts. As you progress, you may feel that spring in life. And this is not due to any external props. You can still enjoy all material things you normally enjoy, but now with a little more spirit in life, you might come to realize their true value to you. May be, you were earlier attaching an undue importance to all these things. Enjoy them without clinging to them.
After getting into this journey, I have worked on a philosophy: treat all good things that come across in life as 'bonus'. Enjoy them but do not crave for them. Naturally what does not come does not bother you!
I have stated earlier, and I repeat: The crux is to get onto this inward journey in life. You move closer to FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. You might even get to feel flashes of FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. But it is more important to be stay on the journey. No one can proclaim that he has reached FH, and his journey stands terminated. The moment you take that stand you have actually lost it. This beautiful journey is towards infinity!
For those who are suffering, there is both motivation and an opportunity to embark on this journey. It is easiest for them.
'Happy' persons will have to take a call. Since they do not feel the basic human unease, a good starting point for this inward journey could be to just focus on any emotional pain they encounter, even if caused externally. Any internal pain can be a good starting point. I hope to detail some steps in subsequent posts - similar to meditation. Persons who already find themselves happy can have a good starting point.
Cheers!
Deepak Chatterjee
chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com
Views are personal
When you say one "might even get to feel flashes of FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. But it is more important to be stay on the journey."
ReplyDeleteHow does one do that? Because at times certain events/circumstances/ people deviate you from the journey, and somehow you can't ignore them. How to overcome that? Its not helplessness, but a choice you make. So how to balance that?
Hello Prerna, Even as seeking FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS is the purpose, you will see that staying on the journey towards FH is itself a very deep, satisfying and enriching experience. As you embark on this journey, while FH itself may still be several steps away, you will be able to appreciate the richness of your new existence. If your question is how to stay on course while you are likely to be derailed at times by events, situations etc, my answer is: yes, this journey is not going to be unidirectional. There could be times when you fall back into the old ways. But the beauty is that you can always get up, collect yourself and start again. And, there is no limit to the number of times you can restart! Once you know your stance that helps you to stay on course, derailments will be less often. On how to maintain this stance, there is more to follow on my posts.:)
ReplyDeleteVery True. The Bhagavad Geeta also talks about this:-
ReplyDeleteमात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शितोष्णुसुखदु:खदा: ।
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ॥
“O Son of Kunti, (Arjuna), The Contacts of Senses Organs (matras) with the Sense Objects, which give rise to Cold, Heat, Pleasure and pain are constantly going and coming. These are not constant. (anitya). Therefore endure them, O Bharata.”
It is the contact of our sense organs that give rise to experiences. These experiences can be pleasant or painful depending on the situation. For example heat can be pleasant on a very cold day if it is in the appropriate measure. That same measure of heat can be unpleasant on a hot day and a higher measure can be painful irrespective of the environment and circumstances. The nature and degree of response to an experience may vary dramatically from person to person. For example my teenage son or daughter may find rock music exhilarating while I may find it exasperating. Same stimuli-different responses.
“Titikshava Bharata”.. What is the Lord saying here ? He is pointing out that the experience, whatever it is, is not going to be permanent. It will pass. He is not saying that it will not be painful or pleasant. It is the other way around. We are born of Prakruti. Therefore the Gunas are present in us. The human body is subject to pain. The Human mind is subject to pain and pleasure. Therefore when the sense organs make contact with sense objects, it is the nature of the situation to generate some experience. This experience, as stated earlier can be pleasant, can be painful depending on the situation.
Does it mean we are to avoid the contacts ? No. Later on we will see that the path of Karma Yoga ie the path of action is the appropriate path for the majority of mankind. That being so, it would be futile to ask us (Yes, Arjuna is a symbol for you and me) to avoid matra sparsha. But we need to appreciate that duality is the very nature of the world. There will be pain, there will be pleasure. Neither will last forever.
It is for us to apply this logic to our worldly affairs. It is futile to expect all our experiences to be pleasant. Let us in fact be thankful that these are not permanent, that they will soon pass. As the day follows the night, so will pleasure follow pain. That is the wisdom we need to imbibe and hence the appropriate reaction to any experience is “Equanimity” –neither delirious with Joy nor dejected by Sorrow.
Thanks, Ravi, for bringing out a very apt verse from The Bagavad Geeta. Religions across the globe have tried to show the way through the pain, not by running away from it. Religions took the help of mythology and symbols, probably to make it easier for the common man to understand. Unfortunately much of humanity has got lost only in the structures of various religions without benefiting from the central theme and message.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I get my answer.Looking forward to more posts..:-)
ReplyDelete